Camera controls

We just finished talking about camera controls in class this week. I thought I knew my camera pretty well, but after reviewing camera controls, I realized I had forgotten a few key points.  One of the controls we reviewed was ISO. I have always had a bit of trouble figuring out how to set my ISO in different lighting situations. Now I know the brighter the light, the lower the ISO. 

After reading chapter 8 in Photojournalism; TheProfessionals’ Approach, I learned why it is important to capture images in RAW. When I shoot in RAW I have a better chance of fixing any of the mistakes I could make with lighting and white balance.  I also now know that when I shoot in RAW, my camera retains all the information that my sensor sees. RAW doesn’t compress information like a JPEG does.

But when it comes to photojournalism, JPEG is the shooting standard. According to my instructor, Lori King, “Photojournalists shoot a lot of sports and action and don't have time to wait for the camera to store the information. If you shoot the photo right, you won't need Photoshop or RAW.” When I am out in the field shooting my assignment, I will use all of my camera controls to shoot my photos correctly so I don’t need to fix anything in Photoshop. 

The First Amendment

Amendment 1

‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.’

 

The First Amendment is a huge deal to me as photographer/photojournalist. Without the First Amendment, I could not photograph whatever I wanted at any time. The First Amendment allows me to walk through a park and photograph kids playing. The First Amendment even allows me and other photojournalists to pull over to the side of the road to photograph an accident that has just happened. 
 This amendment allows me to actually get in close and photograph an injury due to the accident, as long as I am not in the way of the rescue process.


Basically, I have the right to photograph anything and anyone who is in a public place. Without the first amendment we would all live in a world that could censor our every move. I plan on exercise my First Amendment rights every chance I get.

All About Me!

Hi. My name is Jessica Verhoff.


I am currently a full-time student at Owens Community College majoring in Commercial Photography. I graduated from Owens in May 2010 with an associate degree in business management. I decided that I was not 100 percent happy with that degree, so I decided to pursue photography.


I love taking pictures of everything! If it's photo worthy; I captured it. I always wanted to know how to perfect my photographs.  I really enjoy learning new techniques and special effects I can use to make my photographs stand out.

Having this blog is a requirement for my photojournalism class. I will post my essays and other homework assignments on my blog throughout the semester. I plan on using this blog to get my photographs out to the public.


I believe social media is a way for people to interact with one another - by posting photographs, writing blogs and messaging individual people.